Quick Facts
Origin: Superior surface of respiratory diaphragm.
Course: Ascend through the middle mediastinum.
Tributaries: None.
Drainage: Pericardium, respiratory diaphragm, and mediastinal part of parietal pleura.
Origin
The pericardiacophrenic veins arise from the superior surface of the respiratory diaphragm.
Course
From its origin, each pericardiacophrenic vein ascends through the middle mediastinum. It travels between the pleura and the lateral surface of the pericardium, then anterior to the lung root. Through its course, it is accompanied by the pericardiacophrenic artery and phrenic nerve. The pericardiacophrenic veins drain into the right and left brachiocephalic veins.
Tributaries
There are no named tributaries; however, the pericardiacophrenic veins form an anastomosis with the superior phrenic and musculophrenic veins to ensure constant drainage of the diaphragm.
Structures Drained
The pericardiacophrenic veins drain the pericardium, respiratory diaphragm, and mediastinal part of parietal pleura.
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Vein
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